Photo : Belta News
Photo : Belta News
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 27 October, ANI news reported on the claims made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine over Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. According to him, Russia had ramped up its attacks with more than 1,100 guided aerial bombs, 560 drones and over 20 missiles of different types in the previous week. In his post on X, the social media platform, he thanked all the people who worked hard to protect and provide assistance to Ukraine. He further said the Ukrainian administration was working to counter the Russian offensives and strengthen the country.
On 27 October, Zelenskyy announced the creation of a “new format of cooperation”- Ukraine plus the countries of Northern Europe. He thanked all these countries, especially Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland for cooperating on the defensive, political and economic fields. He stated the priority areas to be increasing domestic arms production and drones to support the Ukrainian army. He highlighted the increasing threats in border cities such as Sumy and Kharkiv and Ukraine’s plans to improve diplomatic efforts with officials from the Northern Europe and energy companies.
On 26 October, Reuters reported on the attacks in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. It had led to the death of two civilians who were killed by a drone and an artillery fire. According to Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor of the Kherson region, the area was constantly being attacked by Russian artillery, drones and missiles.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 27 October, The Moscow Times reported on the claims of the Russian army over the advances made in eastern Ukraine. The Russian military said that its recent advance had led to the capture of a frontline village, Izmailovka village, eight kilometres north of an industrial hub in Kurakhove. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the army units captured the Izmailovka settlement. The announcement comes after Russia’s claims of intercepting over 51 Ukrainian drones above the border areas of Russia.
On 27 October, RT reported on the warnings of Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President over the usage of long-range weapons deep inside Russia. At the BRICS summit, Putin said that he hoped the West had heard and understood the consequences of his warning. He reiterated that the usage of these weapons against Russia would be considered a direct attack by the countries that supplied the weapons to Ukraine. He argued that NATO would help Ukrainian military in using high-precision weapons as it required space intelligence which Ukraine does not have. He said: “What is happening now is all being done by the hands of NATO officers. The only question is whether they will allow themselves to strike deep into Russian territory or not.” He added that the Russian army was considering the chances and offering various options as responses.
On 27 October, RT reported on the Russian repulsion of an incursion into the Bryansk region, which borders Belarus in the west and Ukraine’s Chernigov and Sumy regions on the south. According to Aleksandr Bogomaz, Governor of Bryansk, the Russian military along with border guards and National Guard units drove back an “armed group” that attempted to cross Russia’s border with Ukraine near the village of Manev. The governor said that these forces opened fire which forced them to return. However, the extent of the incursion force and the losses are yet to be revealed. Bogomaz has also not reported on any casualties on the Russian side. He added that the situation was under control by the regional operations headquarters. The Russian Defence Ministry and Ukrainian military have not yet made any comments on this.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 26 October, Belta reported that Aleksandr Lukashenko supported China and Brazil’s attempts to formulate a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. He said that both China and Brazil tried to promote a “jointly developed plan” to end the war. He added that he supported their participation in this process as both countries were not rivals of Russia. He further said that issues such as “territorial delimitation, cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of troops from the line of contact” were to be prioritised at the negotiating table. On the prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, he said that Belarus would continue facilitating the prisoner swaps and humanitarian missions between Russia and Ukraine. He added that the exchanges took place in their territory and supervision. He revealed that Belarus had normal contacts with Ukraine and could convey things easily. He further said that “some MPs, diplomats and the military were authorized to make the relevant contacts.” On the alleged deployment of North Korean troops in Russia. He said that Russia did not require a third party to fight in the war. He emphasised that he did not believe these allegations as there was no proof. He condemned this claim as an escalation of the conflict which would allow NATO to send their troops and strike deep inside Russia.
References
“Lukashenko supports China-Brazil peace plan to end conflict in Ukraine,” Belta News, 26 October 2024
“Lukashenko: Belarus will continue to facilitate prisoner swaps between Russia, Ukraine,” Belta News, 26 October 2024
“Lukashenko comments on North Korea troops claims, discussion with NATO country leader,” Belta News, 26 October 2024
“We Expect More Diplomatic Developments and New Support Packages for Ukraine in the Coming Week – Address by the President,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Official website, 27 October 2024
“Russian troops stop Ukrainian raid into border region – governor,” RT, 27 October 2024
“Putin hopes NATO heard warning on long-range strikes,” RT, 27 October 2024
“Russian Army Claims New Advance in East Ukraine,” The Moscow Times, 27 October 2024
“Two civilians killed in Russian attacks in southern Ukraine, Kyiv says,” Reuters, 27 October 2024
“Russia fired over 1,100 guided aerial bombs in past week": Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” ANI, 27 October 2024